University of Dubuque Fall Band Concert to Take Audience Members on a Musical Journey

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Fall Band Concert, presented by the University of Dubuque Department of Fine and Performing Arts, will include music from a variety of genres and time periods as well as timeless jazz standards performed by UD's Concert Band and Jazz Band at 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2025, in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center.

The Fall Band Concert will take audience members on a musical adventure through selections like "Night Dances," "Brigid's Cross," "Witchcraft," "Apple Honey," and more. The evening performance will be under the direction of Nolan Hauta, DMA, director of concert bands and associate professor of instrumental music at UD, and Evan Glickman, DMA, director of jazz and athletic bands and assistant professor of music at UD.

A rousing performance by the Concert Band of a new brass ensemble piece titled "FANFARE!" will open the concert. UD was part of a selective consortium of institutions across the United States that funded the project.

"'FANFARE!' is a brief, high energy piece," Hauta said. "Perfect for starting a concert, it is also a little quirky and a bit unpredictable."

The Fall Band Concert's date - October 17 - holds a special place in music history. That date is the 100th anniversary to the day of the premiere of John Philip Sousa's march titled "The Black Horse Troop." This exciting march will be the last selection from the Concert Band's portion of the concert. Additionally, the Concert Band will recognize 300 years since Johann Sebastian Bach penned "If Thou Be Near" with a performance of a band arrangement of the piece. The band arrangement was created by longtime Cedar Rapids, Iowa, band director and founder of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, Roland L. Moehlmann.

The Fall Band Concert comes at a time of growth among UD's instrumental ensembles. Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band have all been on a steady upward trajectory for the past four years. Another milestone was reached this year with Concert Band at over 50 students and Marching Band at nearly 40 members. Jazz Band continues to have around 20 members, a standard size for a big band. Auditions for Jazz Band have been implemented as demand for a limited number of spots has grown competitive.

"We're all extremely happy to see more interest on campus in what we're doing here in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts," Glickman said. "Numbers aside, this is by far the most talented and driven group of students we've had in my time here at UD."

Hauta added, "All told, we have around 70 students in the bands - some playing in not just one, but two or even three bands. Anyone who hasn't seen or heard the UD bands in a while should come to our performances!"

The Fall Band Concert is free and open to the public. No ticket is required.